Device For Actuating An Electric Or Mechanical Closing Device On A Door And/Or Lid Of A Vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for actuating an electric or electromechanical closing device ( 10 ) on a door ( 12 ) and/or a lid of a vehicle, said device comprising a sensor that reacts to an approach or contact. The aim of the invention is to provide a device that can clearly differentiate between the triggering of the sensor by a real human hand or by an erroneous object. To achieve this, a two-part auxiliary sensor ( 50 ), which consists of a permanent magnet ( 52 ) and a Hall element ( 51 ), is positioned in addition to the primary sensor ( 40 ) in the contact area of a handle (20). One part of the auxiliary sensor ( 50 ), e.g. the Hall clement ( 51 ), is situated on the displaceable handle ( 20 ) and the other part, namely the permanent magnet ( 52 ), on the fixed carrier ( 11 ). During a displacement ( 23 ) of the Hall clement ( 51 ) in relation to the permanent magnet ( 52 ), a signal is generated both in the auxiliary sensor ( 50 ) and the primary sensor ( 40 ), said signals being evaluated in common. Upon completion of the evaluation, an output signal is emitted, transferring the lock ( 30 ) into the locking position in which an actuation (23) of the handle ( 20 ) is ineffective.

The invention pertains to an arrangement of the type indicated in theintroductory clause of claim 1. The sensor of the arrangement respondsto approach or to contact.

To provide increased operating convenience, it is known (DE 196 17 938C2) that a capacitive sensor which responds only when an authorizedperson approaches it, can be provided in a closing device of a vehicle,this sensor being integrated into the grip of the external door handle.As a function of an authorization check, this capacitive sensor servesto actuate the closing device and to grant access to the vehicle. Inthis known arrangement, the authorized person carries an identificationtransmitter (ID transmitter). When his or her hand approaches thehandle, the capacitance of the capacitive sensor changes, and a signalis sent to the electronic control system in the vehicle. The controlsystem uses a sending and receiving arrangement to initiate the searchprocedure for the ID transmitter, and data communications begin betweenthe ID transmitter and the electronic control system. The ID transmittertransmits an identification code, and if the person in question isauthorized, the electronic control system arrives at a positive codecomparison, and the closing device allows access to the vehicle. Theactuation function of the closing device is switched to an active stateeven before the handle of the closing device is in fact actuated by theauthorized person. The person who actuates the handle notices nothing ofthese communications or of this data comparison. The door or hatch isopened and closed without any delay.

So that no unnecessary, energy-consuming communication takes place, asensor should not respond to the approach of, or to contact by, anyobject at all, but rather only to the approach of, or to contact by, ahuman hand. It is undesirable for any random external influence such asrain, snow, ice, or leaves to result in the actuation of the device. Forthis reason, the speed at which the capacitance changes when an objectapproaches or makes contact is also determined in another known closingdevice with a capacitive sensor (DE 196 20 059 Al). In this knowndevice, use is made of the circumstance that the change in capacitanceper unit time is greater upon the approach of a human hand to the sensorthan upon the approach of foreign objects. When the change incapacitance per unit time is measured, the actuation function of theclosing device is switched to an active state only if the change incapacitance over time exceeds a certain limit value. This method cannotbe used in all cases, however.

The invention is based on the task of developing a reliable arrangementof the type indicated in the introductory clause of claim 1, whichdifferentiates clearly between actuation of the sensor by a human handand actuation by foreign objects and which accordingly renders theactuation function of the closing device either active or inactive. Thisis achieved according to the invention by the measures cited in claim 1,to which the following special meaning attaches.

When the handle is actuated, not only a main sensor but also anauxiliary sensor, which consists of a permanent magnet and a Hallelement, responds to this contact. One of these two elements is locatedin the movable handle, the other in the adjacent, stationary bracket.Although the two sensors transmit separate signals when actuationoccurs, the two signals are evaluated jointly. The auxiliary sensortransmits a signal because the actuation of the handle causes a verticaland/or horizontal relative movement between the Hall element and thepermanent magnet. This produces signals in the Hall sensor. If theevaluation is successful, the lock is switched to its locked position ifhad previously been in its unlocked position. In the locked position,actuating the handle has no effect; the door or hatch cannot be opened.These measures can be used in two different ways.

Because both signals are necessary for a successful evaluation, there isno danger that the closing device could be actuated mistakenly in theinvention in the manner described above. It is not enough for the mainsensor to detect the approach of an object and to transmit a signal. Itis also necessary for a relative movement of the Hall element versus thepermanent magnet to occur simultaneously or at least within a certaintime window, so that the auxiliary sensor also transmits a signal. Afterthe two signals have been evaluated, a common output signal is generatedand sent to a control unit in the vehicle. If the output signal is basedon a successful evaluation of the two signals, the control unit switchesthe lock, several of the locks, or all of the locks in the vehicle.

According to the invention, not only the main sensor but also theauxiliary sensor operates dynamically. Thus the duration of the contactor of the approach can be detected and evaluated by both sensors. Thecommon output signal resulting from the evaluation of the two signalscan then be used not only for the previously described switching of thelock but also for initiating one or-more other functions in the vehicle.Whether such functions are initiated and the nature of those functionsdepend on the duration of the contact. These additional functions caninvolve the actuation of movable parts associated with convenience. As aresult, opened windows of the vehicle can be closed, an alarm system canbe turned on, a roof panel in the vehicle can be closed, and/or sidemirrors can be retracted.

Additional measures and advantages of the invention can be derived fromthe subclaims, from the following description, and from the drawings.The drawings illustrate the invention schematically on the basis of anexemplary embodiment:

FIG. 1 shows an essentially horizontal longitudinal cross sectionthrough an external door handle of a vehicle in which the inventivearrangement is realized; the viewing direction is indicated by thecross-sectional line I-I of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 2 shows a vertical longitudinal cross section through the externaldoor handle shown in FIG. 1 along the cross-sectional line II-II in thatfigure.

The closing device 10 used in the inventive arrangement comprises abracket 11, which is mounted in the interior of a door 12 of a vehicle(not shown). Only the exterior panel 13 of the door 12 is shown indash-dot line.

The closing device 10 also includes a handle 20. One end 21 of thehandle 20 is supported pivotably in the bracket 11. The axis 14 of thepivot bearing is essentially vertical with respect to the door 12, forwhich reason the handle 20 is a so-called “pull-handle”. The other end22 of the handle 20 has an extension with a hook at the end. Theextension passes through an opening 15 in the exterior door panel 13 andin the bracket 11. The hooked end of the extension grips a mechanicalinput element 31 on a lock 30 installed in the door 12.

The lock 30 normally holds the door 12 in its closed position. The lock30 can be in either one of two different operating positions, asdesired, namely, a locked position and an unlocked position. When thehandle 20 is pivoted in the direction of the arrow 23 in FIG. 1, theextension 22 carries the lock element 31 along with it in the directionof the arrow 33 in FIG. 1. When the lock 30 is in the unlocked position,this actuation 23 of the handle 20 is functionally effective. The lock30 thus releases the door, and the door 12 can be opened. If, however,the lock 30 is in the locked position, the actuation 23 is notfunctionally effective; the lock element 31 is carried along in a“nonactive” manner, and the lock 30 thus does not release the door. Inspite of the actuation 23, the lock 30 remains locked in its closedposition. The door remains closed.

In an emergency, the lock 30 can be switched from one state to anothermechanically, e.g., by the use of a lock cylinder. Although this is notshown in detail, another opening 16 in the bracket 11 and in theexterior door panel 13 can be seen, in which a lock cylinder of thistype could be installed. The lock cylinder can be actuated by anemergency key. The front end of the lock cylinder, where the key can beinserted and removed, can be integrated into a cover piece 17, which isattached to the bracket 11 and which is designed so that it is flushwith the handle 20.

In the normal case, the lock 30 is switched between the unlockedposition and the locked position by electrical means. For this purpose,the lock 30 has an electrical input 32. The three sensors 40, 45, and50, which have various functions to be described in greater detaillater, are the initiators of this electrical switching of the lock 30.Electronic components 42, which are used for operations, for control,and/or for evaluating and combining the signals coming from the threesensors 40, 45, 50, are also installed in the interior 24 of the handle.

Two of these sensors 40, 45 in the present case act on the basis ofcapacitance. The electrodes 41, 46 of these sensors are indicated in thefigures by different types of shading. The electrodes 41, 46 cooperatewith the body of the vehicle and/or the environment to build up anelectrical field. A field 47 of the capacitive sensor 40 is suggested inFIG. 2 by field lines. When an object such as a finger 27 shown by wayof example in FIG. 3 arrives in one of the electrical fields generatedby the electrodes 41, 46, the capacitance between the electrodes 41, 46and the vehicle or its environment changes. This is registered andevaluated by the associated electrical evaluation units 42 in differentways, which will be described in greater detail later.

If the evaluation is successful, the associated components 42 transmitan output signal, illustrated by an arrow 43 in FIG. 1, which is sentover electric lines 18 in the area of the handle 20 and over anextension of those lines in the form of an electric cable 19 in the door12 and in the vehicle to a control unit 25. This can be a centralcontrol unit 25, which acts on the various locks 30 in the various doorsand hatches of the vehicle by way of numerous electrical or mechanicalconnections 26 between it and the locks. The electrical connection 26 isconnected to the previously mentioned electrical input 32 of the lock 30in question. Instead of an electrical connection 26, the control unit 25could also act mechanically on a second input element (not shown) of thelock 30.

The two capacitive sensors 40, 45 act independently of each other andwork in ways which differ from each other. One capacitive sensor 45 isset to a very high sensitivity and acts in the known manner upon theapproach of an object, especially of an authorized person. This sensor45 is used to release a locked lock 30 and thus, as previouslydescribed, to make it possible to actuate 23 the handle 20 successfully.This takes place, however, only if the following additional condition issatisfied:

One such additional condition for the switching of the lock 30 isderived from the circumstance that access to the vehicle is to begranted only to authorized persons, not to someone without such properauthorization. The authorized person carries an identificationtransmitter, referred to in the following in brief as an “IDtransmitter”, for which a corresponding identification receiver, calledin a similar manner the “ID receiver”, is provided in the vehicle.Normally, an ID transmitter of this type is passive. It works when theauthorized person simply approaches the vehicle. There is no need forthe person to perform any action on the ID transmitter or with the IDtransmitter. It is also conceivable, however, that an active IDtransmitter could be used, such as an electronic remote-control key,which, in order to become active, must be activated by a button.

In both cases, one-way or two-way communication takes place with the IDreceiver. If these communications are successful, the successful outcomeis reported to the control unit 25, which also receives the additionalcondition required for switching. By way of the previously mentionedelectrical or mechanical connection 26, the control unit then switchesthe lock 30 to its previously mentioned unlocked position. When then thehandle 20 is now actually moved in the direction of the arrow 23 in FIG.1, the lock 30 releases the door 12. The door can be opened. For thisreason, this second capacitive sensor 45 is to be called the “openingsensor”.

The previously mentioned first capacitive sensor 40 is made lesssensitive than the opening sensor and is to be referred to in thefollowing as the “main sensor”. The main sensor 40 acts only incoordination with the previously mentioned third sensor 50, which is tobe called the “auxiliary sensor”. This auxiliary sensor 50 has atwo-part design and consists of a Hall element 51 and a permanent magnet52. The permanent magnet generates a magnetic field 53, illustrated inthe figures by field lines, in the area where the Hall element 51 islocated. Whereas the Hall element 51 is located close to the end wall ofthe interior space 24 of the handle 20, the permanent magnet 52 islocated on the inside surface of the adjacent wall of the previouslymentioned cover piece 17.

When the previously mentioned human hand 27 touches, for example, thecontact area designated 28 in FIG. 2, not only the main sensor 40, aspreviously mentioned, but also the auxiliary sensor 50 responds. Thatis, the contact has the result of effecting relative movement betweenthe handle 20 and the bracket 11. This movement can occur either on thebasis of the bearing 14 or because of play in this support area.Vertical and/or horizontal movements can result from the contact. Thisis illustrated in FIG. 2 by a force arrow 34; pressure is exerted by thefinger 27 on the contact point 28. As a result, the relative movement ofthe Hall element 51 in the resting magnetic field 53 of the permanentmagnet 52 takes place as indicated by the motion arrow 35 in FIG. 2. Anelectrical signal is thus generated in the Hall element 51, and thissignal is sent over the electrical connection 36 to the evaluation units42 in the handle 20. The analogous electrical connections 48, 49 betweenthe electrodes 41, 46 and the evaluation units 42 are also indicated inFIG. 2.

Because of its long-distance capacitive sensitivity, the main sensor 40becomes active upon the mere approach of the finger, but certainly nolater than the time at which the finger makes actual contact with theactuating point 28 in FIG. 2. Then, although the main and auxiliarysensors transmit their own independent signals to their control andevaluation units 42, the two signals are evaluated jointly. Only if theevaluation units 42 find both signals to be correct is an output signal43 generated, which, as previously mentioned, is sent to the controlunit 25. In the event of a successful evaluation, the control unit 25switches the lock 30 to its locked position, as previously described.

Both the main sensor and the auxiliary sensor operate dynamically. Thusthe duration of the contact or approach can be detected and evaluated byboth sensors. The duration of the contact is determined by the auxiliarysensor and results in a correspondingly modified output signal 43. As afunction of the contact duration, it is then possible, in addition tothe previously mentioned switching of the lock 30, for one or more otherfunctions in the vehicle to be initiated. The initiation of so-called“convenience” functions by which certain movable parts in the vehicleare moved is especially advantageous. The types of convenience functionswhich can be initiated have already been mentioned by way of exampleabove.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   10 device, closing device-   11 bracket-   12 door-   13 exterior panel of 12-   14 pivot bearing of 20 on 11-   15 opening in 11 for 22-   16 opening in 11 for a lock cylinder-   17 cover piece of 11-   18 electric line for 43 in 20-   19 electric cable for 43-   20 handle-   21 first end of 20-   22 second end of 20-   23 arrow of the pivoting movement of 20, actuation-   24 interior of 20, empty space-   25 control unit-   26 electrical connection-   27 human finger (FIG. 2)-   28 actuating area-   30 lock-   31 mechanical input element of 30, lock element-   32 electrical input of 30-   33 arrow of the carry-along movement of 31-   34 force arrow of 27 on 28 (FIG. 2)-   35 motion arrow of 20 (FIG. 2)-   36 electrical connection between 51 and 42 (FIG. 2)-   40 first sensor for the locking of 30, main sensor-   41 electrode of 40-   42 electrical components, evaluation units for 40, 50, 45-   43 arrow of an electrical output signal of 42 to 25 (FIG. 1)-   45 second capacitive sensor for the unlocking of 30, opening sensor-   46 electrode of 45-   47 electrical field of 40 (FIG. 2)-   48 electrical connection of 41 to 42-   49 electrical connection of 46 to 42-   50 auxiliary sensor-   51 Hall element of 50-   52 permanent magnet of 50-   53 magnetic field of 52

1. Arrangement for actuating an electrical or electromechanical closingdevice (10) on a door (12) and/or a hatch of a vehicle, with a handle(20), which is used to open and/or to close a lock (30) provided on thedoor (12) and/or hatch, where the handle (20) is supported in a bracket(10), which is attached to the door (12) or hatch, with at least onesensor, which, upon approach or contact, switches the lock (30) betweenan unlocked position and a locked position, where, in the unlockedposition, the actuation of the handle (20) is functionally effective forthe lock (30) but is not functionally effective in the locked position,wherein in addition to a main sensor (40), a two-part auxiliary sensor(50), consisting of a permanent magnet (52) and a Hall element (51), islocated in the contact area (28); wherein one part of the auxiliarysensor (50), namely, the Hall element (51) or the permanent magnet (52),is mounted on the movable handle (20), whereas the other part, namely,the permanent magnet (52) or the Hall element (51), is seated on thestationary bracket (11); wherein although the main and auxiliary sensors(40, 50) transmit separate signals upon a vertical and/or horizontalmovement (23) of the handle (20) with respect to the bracket (10), thetwo signals are evaluated (42) jointly; and wherein a successfulevaluation (42) of the two signals switches the lock (30) to its lockedposition.
 2. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein, after theevaluation of the two signals, a joint output signal (43) is generatedand sent to a control unit (25) in the vehicle; and wherein by means ofan output signal (43) which characterizes a successful evaluation, thecontrol unit (25) switches the state of at least one of the locks (30)in the vehicle.
 3. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the mainsensor (40) acts on the basis of capacitance and has at least oneelectrode (41); and in that the electrode (41) is connected toelectrical components (42) for controlling the main sensor and/or forevaluating the signals.
 4. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein theHall element (51) of the auxiliary sensor (50) is located next to theelectrode (41) of the main sensor (40).
 5. Arrangement according toclaim 1, wherein the Hall element of the auxiliary sensor and theelectrode of the main sensor are located in the handle of the closingdevice.
 6. Arrangement according to claim 5, wherein at least oneelectrical component (42) for operations, for control, and/or forevaluation of the signals from the main and/or auxiliary sensor (40, 50)is located in the handle (20).
 7. Arrangement according to claim 1,wherein the permanent magnet (52) of the auxiliary sensor (50) islocated under a cover piece (17), which is positioned next to the handle(20) of the closing device (10).
 8. Arrangement according to claim 1,wherein, when contact is made with the handle (20), the Hall element(51) moves relative to the permanent magnet (52), as a result of which ashort signal is transmitted by the Hall element, which also registersthe duration of the contact; and in that as a function of the durationof contact, one or more additional functions in the vehicle areinitiated in addition to the switching of the lock (30).
 9. Arrangementaccording to claim 8, wherein the additional functions in the vehicleare convenience functions involving movable parts in the vehicle. 10.Arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the convenience functionsconsist in that at least one opened window in the vehicle is closedand/or an alarm system is turned on and/or a roof panel in the vehicleis closed and/or the side mirrors of the vehicle are retracted. 11.Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein, in addition to the main andauxiliary sensors (40, 50), an opening sensor (45) is also provided,which switches the lock (30) to its unlocked position upon approach orcontact.
 12. Arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the openingsensor (45) is located in the handle (20) of the closing device (10).13. Arrangement according to claim 11, wherein at least one electricalcomponent (42) for operations, for control, and/or for evaluation of thesignals coming from the opening sensor (45) is located in the handle(20).
 14. Arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the control unit(25) initiates the switching of the lock (30) between the lockedposition and the unlocked position only if contact takes place betweenan authorized person and the main and auxiliary sensors (40, 50). 15.Arrangement according to claim 14, wherein the authorized person carriesan active or passive identification transmitter (ID transmitter) onhis/her person; in that the ID transmitter communicates with anidentification receiver (ID receiver) in the vehicle; and in that if thecommunication between the ID transmitter and the ID receiver issuccessful, the device (10) is released for actuation (23).